After 23 years at Martin Audio, and having witnessed huge change encompassing the final year of David Martin through to the breakthrough of MLA, it was time to pay homage and celebration to the man that has been one of the company's most ardent evangelists. Consequently, a special event with surprise guests took place at Martin Audio's headquarters and later offsite.
An informal gathering took place in the afternoon with Kelly being presented with an iPad, a retirement survival kit and a trip down memory lane courtesy of tales from colleagues and a photographic montage from across the years. This was then followed by surprise guests, as enter stage left came many of Martin's customers from across the years that had flown in especially.
It was almost This is Your Life, with Simon Bull, international sales director, playing host. Overwhelmed, Kelly managed to squeak out some impassioned words of thanks and ever the self-deprecating said, "I've just been a small cog in a wonderful wheel that is Martin Audio. You guys are the future, enjoy and relish it."
A long night ensued at the local hostelry including yet more special guests and a performance of classic hits from Anzollo, a band made up from Martin Audio employees, past and present.
Summing up, Bull said, "Its people like Martin Kelly that have made this company what it is today - passionate, knowledgeable, and doing business in the right way where customers become partners, dare I say even friends. We will miss him dearly and wish him every enjoyment in his well-deserved retirement."
(Jim Evans)
